Grading system and a method thereof

Abstract

An imaging apparatus for obtaining images of an object from various orientations during different specific lighting conditions. The imaging apparatus includes an enclosed housing which block any exterior ambient light from entering the interior chamber. A rotatable turntable is positioned within the housing, and a camera is located within the housing and positioned above the turntable for capturing images of objects placed on the turntable. A light assembly is included which includes various different lights at different locations within the housing to illuminate and identify different features and flaws on an object placed on the turntable. A light intensity sensor is located within the housing, the light intensity sensor is configured to monitor the intensity of light generated by the light assembly. A controller is also provided which is configured to control the operation of the camera, the turntable, the light intensity sensor, and the lights in the light assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An imaging apparatus comprising:
 an enclosed housing defining a chamber, the housing configured to substantially block any exterior ambient light from entering the chamber;   a rotatable turntable positioned within the housing;   a camera located within the housing and positioned above the turntable, the camera being aimed downwardly along a vertical axis toward the turntable to capture a plurality of images of an object placed on the turntable;   a light assembly including a first light, a second light, a third light, and a fourth light, each of the first light, the second light, the third light, and the fourth light being located within and mounted at various locations within the housing;
 the first light arranged proximate to the camera and oriented to project light downwardly to the turntable, thereby providing direct illumination onto an object placed on the turntable; 
 the second light located at an elevated position relative to the turntable, the second light being mounted off-center within the housing and oriented at an angle to the vertical axis, the second light being a laser light and being positioned to project a laser line across a portion of an object placed on the turntable; 
 the third light located at an elevated position relative to the turntable, the third light being mounted off-center within the housing and oriented at an angle to the horizontal axis, the third light being configured to project light at a shallow angle onto an object placed on the turntable; 
 the fourth light includes a plurality of light units arranged around the turntable to encompass the turntable, the fourth light being located at an elevated position relative to the turntable and oriented to project light downwardly and centrally toward the turntable; 
   a light intensity sensor located within the housing, the light intensity sensor being configured to monitor the intensity of light generated by the light assembly; and   a controller configured in communication with and to control the operation of the camera, the turntable, the light intensity sensor, and the first light, the second light, the third light, and the fourth light of the light assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  including a shuttle table movably coupled to the housing and adapted to move between a first position outside the housing and a second position inside the chamber, the turntable being positioned on the shuttle table. 
     
     
         3 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the turntable includes a stepper motor configured to rotate the turntable about the vertical axis relative to the shuttle table. 
     
     
         4 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the turntable includes a stepper motor configured to rotate the turntable about the vertical axis relative to the shuttle table. 
     
     
         5 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the controller includes a processor having an image analyzer to analyze the plurality of images. 
     
     
         6 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured to control the first light, the second light, the third light, and the fourth light to provide one or more desired light conditions inside the chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured to control the camera to capture images of an object on the turntable. 
     
     
         8 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the controller is configured to control the camera to capture images of an object on the turntable under the one or more desired light conditions. 
     
     
         9 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured to control the turntable to selectively rotate the turntable and control the camera to capture images of an object on the turntable at various rotational positions. 
     
     
         10 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the controller is configured to control the turntable to selectively rotate the turntable and control the camera to capture images of an object on the turntable at various rotational positions under the one or more desired light conditions. 
     
     
         11 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured to control the light intensity sensor to sense illumination levels within the chamber, and to adjust the light intensity output by the light assembly as necessary to achieve the one or more desired light conditions. 
     
     
         12 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the controller is configured to control the light intensity sensor to sense illumination levels within the chamber, and to adjust the light intensity output by the light assembly as necessary to achieve the one or more desired light conditions. 
     
     
         13 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first light is a LED RGB assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the second light is a laser light. 
     
     
         15 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the third light is a dimmable single LED. 
     
     
         16 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fourth light is a LED RGB assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein first light and the fourth light are LED RGB assemblies, the second light is a laser light, and the third light is a dimmable single LED. 
     
     
         18 . The imaging apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first light and the fourth light are LED RGB assemblies.